Refined

The words of the Lord are pure words; flawless, like silver refined in a clay furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6

Do you know how silver is refined? I had to look that one up. The fire has to be intense. The silversmith must place the silver in the very center of the fire, then keep a constant watch on it as the impurities or dross melt away. Otherwise, the silver itself will melt away. When asked on one web site how he knew the silver was refined enough, the smith answered it was when he could see his face in it. What a wonderful image of our Father. He carefully monitors us as He works in our lives to melt away the dross- the human impurities and temptations, amking sure we are not destroyed in the process. And He keeps at it until we are a reflection of Him.

But I learned even more. To keep the silver from emiting a toxic gas during the process, the unrefined silver is first dipped in a solution of acid, then mixed with sodium carbonate. During the process of refining, both sivler and regualr tabel salt are the result. We are as Chrsitians called to be the salt of the earth, aren’t we? In the refining process of our lives, that is produced as a by-product. People see God working in us, the salt making them thirst for Him.